Going to London From Canada: Your UK ETA Explained

London is one of the great city breaks from Canada, and the entry rules are simple once you know about one extra step: an electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, before you fly. Here is a short guide based on the UK government's own pages.

What is the UK ETA?

An ETA lets you travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to six months. You can get one for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons. The UK government says most visitors need an ETA or a visa, and that people from countries including Canada usually need an ETA rather than a visa.

What does it cost, and where do you apply?

The official GOV.UK pages list the ETA at £20 at the time of writing, and say you can apply online or through the UK ETA app. There is no refund after you apply, and you cannot get a faster decision by using another website or app. The government also warns that other websites may charge more and that some imitate government services, so apply only through the official site or app.

You will need the passport you will travel with, an email address, and a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You also upload or take a photo of the face of the person applying.

Everyone needs one

Each person travelling needs an ETA, including babies and children. You can apply on behalf of other people, so a parent can sort out the whole family in one sitting. If the person is not with you, you apply online and need a photo of their passport and a photo of their face.

An ETA does not guarantee entry, so it is worth keeping your documents and return plans in order as you would for any trip.

Do not leave it to the airport

Because the ETA is something you arrange in advance, add it to your list as soon as you book, and apply well before you fly. Fees and processing times can change, so check the official page for the current details when you apply.

Planning the rest of the trip

Our London guide covers the neighbourhoods, the best times to visit and day trips such as Windsor, Oxford and Bath. If you want flights and a hotel in one booking, look at our London vacation packages. We are registered with TICO and charge no booking fees.

What an ETA does and does not let you do

The GOV.UK guidance describes what you can and cannot do with an ETA, and it is meant for short visits such as tourism and visiting family. If you plan to work, study or stay for longer, you will need to check the right visa route instead. For a typical city break of a few days, an ETA is the document you need, alongside a valid passport.

Transiting through the UK

The GOV.UK guidance has a separate section for people who transit through a UK airport, and it singles out passengers who pass through 'landside', meaning they leave the secure transit area. If your itinerary connects through a UK airport on the way to somewhere else, read that section before you fly, and check with your airline whether you will need to leave the secure area. Rules like these can change, so always rely on the current official page rather than on this summary. For a direct London city break, none of this applies and a single ETA per traveller is all you need to arrange in advance.

Quick checklist

• Apply for an ETA for every traveller, including children.
• Use the official GOV.UK page or the UK ETA app only.
• Apply with the same passport you will travel on.
• Keep a copy of the confirmation with your travel documents.
• Check the current fee and rules at the time you apply.